The Before Short Story Series. Part 1 - Иван Перепелятник

In fifteen minutes our plane will head towards the runway. The flight from Madrid–Barajas International Airport to Washington–Dulles International Airport will take one hour and thirty minutes.

Please make sure that all your hand luggage is on the shelf above your seat. We ask you to check that your seat belt is fastened and tightened up to fit. We ask you not to leave your seats during the entire flight unless you need to and remain fastened during the entire flight. In a few minutes we will offer you some refreshments. We wish you a pleasant flight.’

Having listened to the announcement of the airliner staff, Elena took another look at her fellow passenger:

‘My name is Elena Vega,’ she held out her hand to the neighbor, inviting him to get acquainted. ‘Bosch Yunken,’ he said, not hiding his disappointment with being distracted from playing on the communicator.

‘Oh, I'm sorry, I'm distracting you.’

‘Well, yes. But now it doesn’t matter already.’

‘Coming back home, Bosch?’

‘What makes you think so?’

‘The translator,’ Elena pointed to the headphones in her ears. ‘They don't translate, they only broadcast your voice.’

‘Ah. Well, yes, home.’

‘And I'm going on holidays.’

‘Yeah, congrats. And what are you going to do on the east coast?’

‘Your country, Bosch, has such a rich history. I don't think I'll be bored.’

‘Ah, got it. That is, are you a specialist in museums or something?’

‘You could say that. My main goal is Baltimore.’

‘Well, and what have you forgotten in the middle of nowhere?’

‘The life of the great poet and writer Edgar Poe suddenly ended in Baltimore.’

‘Who is this? Doesn’t ring a bell.’

‘He lived a long time ago, Bosch. No wonder you haven't heard of him.’

‘Ah. Well, okay.’

‘I'm a big fan of Poe. I am planning to visit his grave, the places he used frequented. I would like to see for myself where it all happened.’

‘What happened?’

‘You know, there are some inconsistencies in the versions of why he actually died. And not all of them flatter him as a person. So I'm planning—rather, I hope to clarify something about what end his hard lot brought him to.’

‘Was he a member of some kind of group or something? Some kind of a gangster?’

‘Not at all. He lived in the nineteenth century. His literary career and personal life were quite ambiguous. Things were difficult for him…'

‘Yes. Well, good luck to you, Elena.’

‘Thank you, Bosch! What were you doing in Madrid?’ Bosch looked at Elena with a kind of detachment. ‘I'm sorry, Bosch. I won't distract you anymore.’

‘OK.’ Bosch continued playing with the communicator.

Looking at the endless blue of the ocean in the window, her eyes not setting on anything, Elena noticed Bosch returning to his seat.

‘Bosch, I'm sorry, may I ask you for advice, please. Do you mind?’

‘Come on.’

‘I didn't order a transfer to the hotel. I thought I'd get there on my own. Can you tell me the best way to get to Baltimore from the airport?’

‘I can. It will be better and faster on the shuttle. 5 minutes on the road.’

‘Oh, I see. That’s great. I booked a room in a hotel in the city center, on the Patapsco. The station is in the center of the city. Do I get it right, Bosch?’

‘Yes, as far as I remember.’

‘Yeah. And that is just what I do. I'll take your advice and go by shuttle. Thanks, Bosch.’

‘Anyway, I live there nearby. I can give you a lift to the hotel.’

‘Oh, come on, Bosch. I'm sorry to have bothered you. I don't want to be a burden.’

‘I wouldn't offer it if you were a burden.’ Bosch was looking at Elena with the same blank or perhaps a little bit stiff expression on his face.

‘I'd really appreciate it, Bosch.’

‘OK.’

Elena came up to the automated security and customs control desks, where she had to answer a number of standard questions:

‘What is the purpose of your visit to the United States of America?’

‘Tourism.’

‘Please give some details on the specific purpose of your visit.’

‘I am planning to visit a number of historical sites related to Edgar Poe’s life in Baltimore—this is my main goal. And, of course, my program includes a trip to Washington. I hope to see all the iconic sights in the capital, from the White House to the National Gallery of Arts.’

‘How long are you planning to stay in the U.S.?’

‘One week. I have a return ticket for Friday, end next week.’

The frame around the perimeter of the rack lit up green,

‘Welcome to the U.S. You may pass on.’

Elena noticed a tall black man in a silver jacket in the airport lounge.

‘I started worrying that you'd changed your mind, Bosch. You have such a remarkable appearance, it helps.’ Elena looked at the braids. ‘You are very tall. One can easily find you in such a crowd.’

‘Can we make it less formal. Eh?’

‘Good. I'm for it,’ Elena smiled. ‘Could we have lunch together? I'm a little hungry. And you?’

‘OK.’

‘Are you in no hurry now?’

‘There is time for lunch. Don’t you worry, Elena. If I was in a hurry, I wouldn't be here anymore.’

‘Great.’

‘So anyway, Bosch, may I ask you what you were doing in Spain?’

‘I have a factory near Madrid. Met with new leather suppliers. I had to check on the samples and see my managers.’

‘What's the leather for, Bosch?’

‘My company specializes in leather jackets.’

‘Wow, that's great! I see, your jacket is very cool!’

‘Well, at least, it’s different. It's important to me. To make my things different. And what do you do for a living?’

‘I am an accountant in a small manufacturing company. The factory does plastic windows, doors and the like.’